people of the eastern hemisphere sought to revive networks of long-distance trade that the plague had ruined
China and western Europe recovered most rapidly from the disasters of the 14th century
early Ming dynasty: ports accommodated foreign traders to all over Indian Ocean basin
Europeans traveled through Mediterranean to Atlantic Ocean
End of 15th century: Europeans established sea lanes to India and had visited Americas many times
The Chinese Reconnaissance of the Indian Ocean Basin
Early Ming emperors did not want many foreign people in China
Foreign merchants could trade in supervised ports
traded pearls, gems, spices, and things like tortoise shells for silk, porcelain, and manufactured goods
Emperors also renovated Chinese navy, allowing merchants to travel to Japan and southeast Asia
M.S.
Zheng He's Expeditions
eunuch admiral; a Muslim from Yunnan (SW China), was a trusted advisor of Emperor Yongle
Yongle organized expeditions for 2 reasons: to impose imperial control over foreign trade with China and to impress foreign peoples with the power that the Ming dynasty had restored to China
the expeditions: took place between 1405 and 1433; first three were to SE Asia, India, and Ceylon, 4th was to Persian Gulf and Arabia. later there were expeditions to E. African coast as far south as Malindi (Kenya)
the fleet: consisted of 317 ships and 28,000 armed troops (first voyage)
called "treasure ships" because of massive size
4 decks (could hold 500+ passengers) and massive cargo storages
408 feet long, 166 feet wide
on these voyages Zheng He brought Chinese silk, porcelain, and other goods, and in return he received unusual/rich goods (i.e. African zebras and giraffes)
when visiting Ceylon, built monument honoring Buddha, Allah, and Vishnu
JB
Chinese Naval Power
Zheng He usually tried to solve problems with diplomacy/non-violence
If threatened though would not stand down to show Chinese military strength
He suppressed pirates that had been plaguing Chinese seas for years and intervened in a civil disturbance in Ceylon
The 7 expeditions he led established a strong presence in the Indian ocean region, which offered many gifts to the Ming court.
JM End of the Voyages
During the mid-1430s, the expeditions ended.
Confucian ministers argued that resources committed to these expeditions could be put to better use in agriculture.
Also during the 1420s and 30s, the Mongols mounted a military threat from the NW and land forces needed support.
In 1433 the expeditions ended, and while trade with Japan and SE Asia continued, imperial officials gave up any plans to maintain a presence in the Indian Ocean.
The voyages demonstrated that China could exercise military, political, and economic influence in the Indian Basin.
Exploration and Chinese Reconnaissance (585-586)
EXPLORATION AND COLONIZATION
- people of the eastern hemisphere sought to revive networks of long-distance trade that the plague had ruined
- China and western Europe recovered most rapidly from the disasters of the 14th century
- early Ming dynasty: ports accommodated foreign traders to all over Indian Ocean basin
- Europeans traveled through Mediterranean to Atlantic Ocean
- End of 15th century: Europeans established sea lanes to India and had visited Americas many times
The Chinese Reconnaissance of the Indian Ocean Basin- Early Ming emperors did not want many foreign people in China
- Foreign merchants could trade in supervised ports
- traded pearls, gems, spices, and things like tortoise shells for silk, porcelain, and manufactured goods
- Emperors also renovated Chinese navy, allowing merchants to travel to Japan and southeast Asia
M.S.Zheng He's Expeditions
- eunuch admiral; a Muslim from Yunnan (SW China), was a trusted advisor of Emperor Yongle
- Yongle organized expeditions for 2 reasons: to impose imperial control over foreign trade with China and to impress foreign peoples with the power that the Ming dynasty had restored to China
- the expeditions: took place between 1405 and 1433; first three were to SE Asia, India, and Ceylon, 4th was to Persian Gulf and Arabia. later there were expeditions to E. African coast as far south as Malindi (Kenya)
- the fleet: consisted of 317 ships and 28,000 armed troops (first voyage)
- called "treasure ships" because of massive size
- 4 decks (could hold 500+ passengers) and massive cargo storages
- 408 feet long, 166 feet wide
- on these voyages Zheng He brought Chinese silk, porcelain, and other goods, and in return he received unusual/rich goods (i.e. African zebras and giraffes)
- when visiting Ceylon, built monument honoring Buddha, Allah, and Vishnu
JBChinese Naval Power
- Zheng He usually tried to solve problems with diplomacy/non-violence
- If threatened though would not stand down to show Chinese military strength
- He suppressed pirates that had been plaguing Chinese seas for years and intervened in a civil disturbance in Ceylon
- The 7 expeditions he led established a strong presence in the Indian ocean region, which offered many gifts to the Ming court.
JMEnd of the Voyages
- During the mid-1430s, the expeditions ended.
- Confucian ministers argued that resources committed to these expeditions could be put to better use in agriculture.
- Also during the 1420s and 30s, the Mongols mounted a military threat from the NW and land forces needed support.
- In 1433 the expeditions ended, and while trade with Japan and SE Asia continued, imperial officials gave up any plans to maintain a presence in the Indian Ocean.
- The voyages demonstrated that China could exercise military, political, and economic influence in the Indian Basin.
ZK